A couple new matchups have been revealed for upcoming fight cards, and I’ll present my thoughts on these new matchups in the current MMA odds and ends.
Glover Teixeira vs. Ion Cutelaba, UFC on ESPN 3
A light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and Ion Cutelaba, that was originally set to take place back in UFC Fight Night 143, was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 3, taking place April 27 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Combate broke the news. Teixeira (28-7) could be 39-years old now but he showed age does not mean anything to him when he completed the younger Karl Roberson in his final departure at UFC Fight Night 143. All-time Teixeira holds a 11-5 record in the Octagon and he may not be a real title contender anymore, he’s still a tough gatekeeper and the ideal test for climbing light heavyweights to take on as they seem to move up the rankings. Even late in his profession, he can still finish fights.
Cutelaba (14-3, 1 NC) is 3-2 in the UFC and is coming from back-to-back knockout wins over Gadzhimurad Antigulov and Henrique da Silva. Just 25, Cutelaba is one of the top youthful light heavyweights in the UFC, but he’s still very much unproven. After viewing Teixeira come back from being down early and finish Roberson, I believe you have to favor him to get the win from Cutelaba, although I do think Cutelaba will be more aggressive than Roberson was.
Martin Day vs. Chris Gutierrez, UFC Fight Night 148
Bantamweights Martin Day and Chris Gutierrez are set to match at UFC Fight Night 148 (UFC on ESPN+ 6), which takes place March 23 at Bridgestone Arena at Nashville, Tennessee. Day (8-3) suffered a split decision loss to Pingyuan Liu in his UFC debut but’d won three straight struggles in the regional circuit before making his ill-fated UFC debut. Gutierrez (12-4-1) is coming off of a submission reduction to Raoni Barcelos in his own UFC debut but had won three straight fights on the regional circuit prior to that as well. This looks like a really close fight and that I expect the opening number to be close a Pick’em given how even it seems on paper. I’d slightly lean towards Day to get his hands raised, but it’s very near.
Boston Salmon vs. Khalid Taha, UFC 236
Bantamweights Boston Salmon and Khalid Taha will meet UFC 236, taking place April 13 at an undisclosed venue (rumored to be in Las Vegas, Nevada). These two were previously set to meet in the TUF 28 Finale prior to the fight was scrapped. News of this rebooking comes from Shawn Bitter. Steak (6-1) picked up a decision win over Ricky Turcios on the Contender Series back in July 2017 but has not fought since due to injuries. Taha (12-2) dropped a choice to Nad Narimani in his UFC debut . Given Salmon’s long layoff, it is sensible to lean towards Taha here, but provided that Taha is far from a top prospect, don’t be surprised is Salmon comes through and gets the win. I would expect a close line in any event.
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